Looking for suggestions on carry 1911

[Lantern]

I gotta 1911 itch I wanna scratch and since I have a VERY VERY limited selection around my area, as usual I have to make a blind but informed purchase.

What I want is a reasonably light(24-35 oz) 1911 with 3.5-4.25 inch barrel in either 45 or 9mm. The frame can be officer or full size, but if it IS full size please take into consideration that I will most likely want it bobbed and add that work to the final price.

Budget is VERY firm at 1200 and would be happy to see some change outta that.

Guns that I'm leaning towards are the Sig CCO, Both the STI Guardian and RangerII, Colt lw commander XSE and S&W e-series scandium with round butt.

All of these I've found online in my price range, but I'm game for any suggestion.

Hit me with any info ya want. Stories, experiences, reasons for 45 or 9mm and even straight bias is welcome here(so long as it's backed by a sweet story). All I want is a reliable good shooting gun that will keep value....and yes I do like perrty guns so that's a plus too.


Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[burrhead]

For questions like this my answer is always just buy a Colt and be done with it. As an aside, you might want to think about shooting and carrying whatever you end up with for a few months before you bob it. I've carried a Government for over 35 years and never had a problem with printing. Im 5' 8" and a pretty solid 185#s. I guess I'm kinda old school but to me the bob thing is a fad and really serves no practical purpose except to separate people from their money. (Nomex on) That said, its your gun, do what you want.

 

[Lantern]

LOL! Agreed. I should have been clear. I definitely won't run right out and start hacking on my new gun. I have and carry several full size 1911s, but have never even had the opportunity to hold a decent quality 1911 around my area that's designed for easier carry except a scandium sw1911 about a month ago. To be honest the feel of that gun sorta started this itch.


Also, sorry if some think this is a similar post to the "commander" thread. But that thread started out and is continuing to be a thread about what is and isn't a commander and isn't very helpful to the OP or me. The differences in my question is that I include a budget as well as I'm open to the gun being something other than a 4.25 inch slide with a government frame.

 

[tarosean]

The S&W that you tried, did it have a bobbed grip?

I dont care for the void in my hand that bobbed guns create. Not worth the trade off to me, as 1911's are easy to conceal with a bit of cant in the holster. My current EDC is a 4" with full sized grip. It replaced my Colt LW Commander as an EDC only because I wanted an upgrade..

I did buy a CCO sized 1911 recently but it will have to prove itself first before I can comment on it.

 

[Lantern]

Yes it did. The rounded butt. I actually kinda liked the feel as I have large meaty hands and perhaps that helps to fill the void.

I've never held a Dan Wesson or Ed brown style Bobtail so there may be a void I wouldn't like there that I haven't considered.


Also, I forgot to mention that I'm ok with the caliber being 45 OR 9mm. I need to edit my original post to reflect that...

 

[Hapworth]

With a firm budget of $1200, it's established you'll go as high as $1500.

Get a Dan Wesson CCO. Or a lightly used one. Probably the best of the compact 1911s south of semi-custom territory (and prices).

 

[JDR]

One of the guys I occasionally shoot with has a DW Commander Classic Bobtail in (wait for it) 10mm. He out shoots everybody with this DW. The good news is he lets me shoot it (if I bring ammo). Here's the bad news; he groups my groups with it, DW stopped making these in 2010, and he won't sell it to me. The guys who think a 1911 Commander has to say "Colt" on it really need to try out this "imposter"!

 

[bannockburn]

I have a Colt Lightweight Government Model that I love to shoot because the balance feels just right to me over that of an all steel Government Model. The lighter weight makes it great for CCW. If you're looking for something with a shorter slide then I would recommend the Colt Lightweight Commander or the CCO model.

 

[stogiegila]

My two choices both of which I have had and enjoyed:

Colt 1991 Series 80 Commander ( I prefer the stainless one):

MODEL O1091 O1991 O1991CCG O1991DA O4091U O4691 O2071ELC2
BARREL LENGTH (IN.) 5 5 5 5 4.25 4.25 5
CALIBER .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .38
MAGAZINE CAPACITY 7 7 8 7 7 7 9
RECEIVER MATERIAL STS C C AL STS C STS
RECEIVER FINISH BR BL BL AB BR BL BRI
SLIDE MATERIAL STS C C C STS C STS
SLIDE FINISH BR BL BL BL BR BL BRI
SIGHTS HD HD NWF HD HD HD HD
HAMMER SP SP EN N/A EN CM SP
TRIGGER S S S DA S S BRI
SAFETY LOCK SD SD EX N/A SD SD SD
GRIP SAFETY SD SD UB N/A DB SD SD
STOCKS CO RO SRO SRO CO RO RO
EJECTION PORT L L LF LF L L L
ACTION SA SA SA DAO SA SA SA
FIRING SYSTEM 80 80 80 80 80 80 80
OVERALL LENGTH (IN.) 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 7.75 7.75 8.5
APPROX. WEIGHT (OZ.) 35.0 35.0 35.5 27.0 32.5 33.0 37.5




Sig Sauer Carry Nightmare:

Item Number 1911FCA-45-NMR, 1911FCA-357-NMR
Caliber 45 ACP, 357 SIG
Action Type SAO
Trigger Pull DA N/A
Trigger Pull SA 5 lbs
Overall Length 7.7 in
Overall Height 5.5 in
Overall Width 1.4 in
Barrel Length 4.2 in
Sight Radius 5.7 in
Weight w/Mag 38.8 oz
Mag Capacity 8 Rounds 45 ACP, 9 Rounds 357 SIG
Sights Low Profile Night Sights
Grips Hogue® Black G-10 Grips
Frame Finish Nitron®
Slide Finish Nitron®
Accessory Rail No
Features Fastback Rounded Frame, Stainless Controls, Black G-10 Grips
MSRP $1,242.00
CA Compliant No
MA Compliant No

Of the two the Sig is the more polished one with nightsights, excellent checkering and the rounded "bobtail". It will also take the flush fitting Colt mags, which I prefer

 

[BlindJustice]

I've been looking at 1911 Variants in the 4.25" Bbl./Sllide
size and a lot were eliminated because
I don't care for the front strap of the grip being
checkered. MSH can always be swapped for one in the style you
prefer but checkering the frame is a done deal

I had a Colt Combat Commander in the '70s and
wish I had kept it.

I like the Ruger SR1911 CMD it's a shade over 36 oz
being a steel frame - may or may not bobtail it. it has a
lot of features for it's price point IMO leaves room for a mod or
reliability package from a local gunsmith I know.

I currently carry a full size 1911 with a good Milt
Sparks holster(s) MS Belt and mag carrier
which helps in carrying.

Dan Wessons are very nice

R-

 

[Lantern]

With a firm budget of $1200, it's established you'll go as high as $1500.

Get a Dan Wesson CCO. Or a lightly used one. Probably the best of the compact 1911s south of semi-custom territory (and prices).

LOL!! You sir are a very wise man! And that is exactly why I said 1200! Cause if I said 1500 it goes to 1800 and I just can't swing that right now.

Both the Dan Wesson Guardian as well as the STI Guardian are getting STRONG looks from me right now. The STI Guardian, Ranger II as well as the Springfield EMP in 9mm can all be had for under 1200.......but the Dan Wesson Guardian(and several of the Dan Wessons) have been on my want list for a while as I love a nice clean looking 1911...if it wasn't already apparent given with the one's I own and the ones I'm looking at. haha

 

[critter]

I have a Colt New Agent-small, light and easy to carry. NEVER had a hiccup with it at all. Give it a look. It's in your range.

 

[surjimmy]

Instead of a 9mm, get a 38 Super. This is my EDC 1955 LW Commander in 38 Super.

 

[Lantern]

Instead of a 9mm, get a 38 Super. This is my EDC 1955 LW Commander in 38 Super.

I've thought about that very thing! The super's length being closer to the 45 acp is appealing from a reliability standpoint.